Teeth whitening procedures are used to brighten the
appearance of a patient’s smile. Teeth whitening procedures
have become some of the most popular aesthetic dental
treatments among patients. Professional teeth whitening
services can be performed in an office setting or prescribed
for take-home use by a patient. In comparison to over-the-
counter teeth whitening treatments, professional whitening
uses stronger whitening agents that deliver faster results.
Teeth Whitening done by Laser
Did you know…
Certain foods, beverages, medications and habits can
contribute to a darker, yellowed, or stained smile. However,
it is possible to erase years of stains in a single professional
whitening session and sustain those results for many years
with proper maintenance. Professional whitening is best
maintained by a combination of good oral care and take-
home whitening treatments as recommended by your
dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening if
you are experiencing discoloration, but otherwise have
healthy teeth and healthy gums. Schedule a consultation
with a dentist to find out if tooth whitening could be right for
you. Some patients, such as those who are pregnant or
sensitive to whitening agents, may not be candidates for
professional whitening.
In-office teeth whitening consists of a thorough cleaning and
polishing of the teeth, with all debris carefully removed. Your
dentist will then protect your gums before applying a
whitening agent to the surface of your teeth. The product will
be activated and left on the teeth for several minutes before
being washed off with water. Your results will vary according
to the natural shade of your teeth and degree of
discoloration, but it is normal for patients to experience a
lightening of several shades in a single visit.
It is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity following a
professional whitening treatment. You may be instructed to
avoid consuming highly pigmented beverages for at least 24
hours to prevent the teeth from becoming stained again.
Examples include tea, coffee and wine. Depending on your
results and long-term teeth whitening goals, you may also be
sent home from your procedure with an at-home whitening
kit for later use.
